J&K: All party meet divided on talks with separatists

New Delhi, Sept 7: There were mixed views on whether the separatists of Jammu and Kashmir must be engaged in talks or not. The all party delegation that visited the state recently met at New Delhi to assess the situation and also chalk out a strategy for the future.

While some members of the delegation felt that talks with separatists must be held, others felt the need to isolate them.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh who chaired the meet on Wednesday will meet President Pranab Mukherjee and will brief him about the meeting and also the visit to J&K.

During the meeting while various suggestions were made, most members felt that the Jammu and Kashmir government had failed to deal with the crisis. They pointed out that some of the leaders were giving contradictory statements and have not done enough to find a solution to the problem.

During the meeting it was also stated that the Hurriyat Conference issues calendar of protests every week. Until and unless this is not stopped normalcy will not return to the Valley, it was also stated.

Further the meeting also discussed the areas in which the violence was most severe. It was pointed out that South of Kashmir and especially the rural areas were the most affected.

The immediate move should be to restore normalcy in the Valley. Schools need to reopen and people need to lead a normal life, members of the delegation also said.

In addition to this the feasibility of relaxing AFSPA was also discussed. However, many part of the meet said that an immediate ban on pellet guns must be issued and the forces must have a more compassionate approach.

OneIndia News